The American International Women’s Association of Rabat, Morocco recently celebrated our 50th anniversary with a Gala held at the Sofitel of Rabat. Our co-Presidents, Oumnia Seghrouchni and Nancy Slaoui coordinated the wonderful event that honored women who had been members for at least 20 years.
The Rabat AIWA was created by American embassy women in 1962 and now has grown to be an association with many nationalities who share a common interest in the English language, friendship, and a desire to help those in need in our local community.
The highlight of the evening was a gracious and warm welcome and congratulations from the Honorable Samuel Kaplan, U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, and his wife, Sylvia, who is our very involved Honorary President. Along with a lively band and dancing, we were treated to 2 solos by our very own AIWA member and opera singer, Michele Baron. In addition to the Ambassador and his wife, our guests of honor were Ms. Judy Chammas, Deputy Chief of Mission U.S. embassy and her husband Mr. Labib Chammas; Dr Paul Johnson and his wife Patty Mattausch (Dr. Johnson was out of town) Director and Athletic Director of Rabat American School who have both supported AIWA especially through the permission to use their facilities for our large annual Holiday Bazaar; Mr. and Mrs. Malik Harim, Director of Megamall, our generous partner and host of our general meetings; Aicha Iraqui, the marketing manager of Megamall; and Mr. Naoufal Uariachi, who has given his time to help with our fundraising, joined by his wife Mrs. Uariachi.
Many thanks to the American women 50 years ago who along with women everywhere love to be together to laugh, discuss issues, care for each other, and seek to help those in need.
Ambassador and Mrs. Kaplan receiving a beautiful Moroccan plate inscribed with AIWA’s appreciation for their support and involvement with AIWA, Rabat, Morocco. Oumnia Seghrouchni and Nancy Slaoui, our co-Presidents are on the right.